Editorial: Reformers shake up IPS board

The effort to raise standards, improve performance and enforce accountability in Indiana's schools suffered a heavy loss Tuesday with the defeat of incumbent state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett. The education reform movement is likely to face significant obstacles now that Democrat Glenda Ritz, a vocal opponent of most reform measures, will now run the state Department of Education.

Still, there was good news for reform advocates in Indianapolis, where three new members were elected to the board of Indianapolis Public Schools. Newcomers Gayle Cosby, Caitlin Hannon and Sam Odle, along with returning incumbent Diane Arnold, promise to raise expectations for the long-struggling district.

Even as the state appears ready to take a step back from shaking up the status quo in education, IPS, with the board elections, may be on the verge of finally abandoning years of denial about how bad things really are in many of the district's schools. From test scores to graduation rates to college readiness, far too many students in IPS perform at far too low a level. The three new board members have a firm understanding of that reality, and even more important, they're not afraid to acknowledge it.

Even before the election there was ample speculation about the future of Superintendent Eugene White if the reform candidates were to win as a bloc. Yet, to his credit, Sam Odle, in particular, emphasized the need to give White a fair chance to adjust to a new set of expectations and new direction from the board. Other board members, newcomers and holdovers alike, would do well to follow Odle's approach.

Eugene White has talent as a visionary and a communicator, and his first years in IPS were filled with an inspiring set of initiatives. White has drifted from that course in the past few years, however, and a majority of the IPS board, prior to Tuesday, was unable or unwilling to help him get back on track.

Now, voters have signaled that they want change in how the district operates. The new board members are well qualified to help lead that change. It's up to White to decide if he wants to join them.

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Editorial: Reformers shake up IPS board

The effort to raise standards, improve performance and enforce accountability in Indiana's schools suffered a heavy loss Tuesday with the defeat of incumbent state Superintendent of Public